Common Stock

Changes in the number of common stock shares outstanding are as follows:



	December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
Shares outstanding, beginning	71,828,208		78,664,029		88,524,374
Vested restricted stock and restricted stock units, net (a)	321,841		340,525		370,244
Issuance related to performance share units	277,164		252,025		403,519
Issuance related to ESPP	141,576		217,573		213,942
Issuance related to SARS exercise	29,260		61,070		51,410
Shares repurchased	(3,298,490	)	(7,707,014	)	(10,899,460	)
Shares outstanding, ending	69,299,559		71,828,208		78,664,029


(a)	Vested restricted stock and restricted stock units shown net of shares retired to cover participant tax liability.

The Company is authorized to issue 800,000,000 shares of common stock. In addition, 150,001 shares of Class B and 400,001 shares of Class C common stock, per the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Assurant, Inc., are still authorized but have not been issued.